Levels of Play Offered By South Texas

It is the mission of South Texas Youth Soccer Association to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of the youth of South Texas by offering an environment that makes soccer fun and instills a lifelong passion for the game in its players and their families.

To accomplish this goal, STYSA provides various levels of play designed to fulfill the needsof players age 4 through 19 of various skill levels.

Division IV – Recreational –10U and younger players
Children learn the basics of soccer through positive, fun training sessions that include short demonstrations and lots of participation. The primary goal of this play level is fun and the opportunity to play. There is a requirement that coaches make every effort to play each player at least 50% of each game.

Division IV – Academy–7U through 10U players
The Academy Program is designed to allow trainers to teach individual skills to 7U through 10U players in a team training format. Clubs must be pre-approved through an application process to offer this level of play.

Division III – Recreational –11U through 19U
Designed for players who enjoy the sport for the social aspect as well as developing their skills, recreational teams in these age groups are formed through assignment of all interested participants to a team. There is a requirement that coaches make every effortnto play each player at least 50% of each game.

Division II – Competitive –11U through 19U
This introductory level of competitive play is designed for those who enjoy the social aspect of the game and want to continue to develop their skills through better competition. There is a requirement that coaches make every effort to play each player at least 50% of each game.

Super II – Competitive –11U through 19U
Selection of players based on talent and ability is permitted and generally includes a pool of players from a broader spectrum. Teams participate in the Super II league within the District which requires more commitment with regard to travel and expense. There is a requirement that coaches make every effort to play each player at least 50% of each game.

Division I – Competitive –11U through 19U
Recognized as the highest level of play within the state, players may be selected from across the state based on their ability, skill and commitment to the sport including a more demanding practice and game schedule. There is no play time requirement at this level for 13U-19U. 11U and 12U coaches must make every effort to play each player at least 50% of each game.
 

*Levels of Competition within Division I*

  • Division I (D1): this competition provides an opportunity for teams to play top teams within their own District (East and West). These competitions are managed by WDDOA for the Western District and STYSA for the Eastern District.
  • State Classic League (SCL): this competition is designed to provide play between the top teams in each District (14U-18U). There is no play requirement at this level.
  • Southern Region Premier League (SRPL): this is Region III’s highest level of competition. SRPL includes the most competitive teams (13U-19U) in Region III and is comprised of four (4) sub-regions, Premier League East (PLE), Premier League North (PLN), Premier League South (PLS) and Premier League West (PLW). PLE includes teams from TN, AL, NC, SC, GA and FL; PLN includes teams from TN, AR, LA and MS; PLS includes teams from LA, MS, AL and FL and PLW includes teams from OK, NTX and, STX. South Texas teams qualify for PLW based on their performance in PLW, State Classic League or State Cup as applicable.
  • National League: this is US Youth Soccer’s highest level of league competition in the U.S. Teams are promoted to National League based on their performance in their respective Regional Premier
    Leagues.

 
Teams of all levels play through their Member Association or a designated play group (Super II, Division I, State Classic League, and Premier League) during the seasonal year and, in some play levels, have the opportunity to advance to post season play in the Fall or enter Spring Cup competitions.

The competitions offered by South Texas Youth Soccer Association and the levels of play eligible for each competition is:

Fall Championships- Division II and Division III age groups in each District are eligible to
participate in tournaments scheduled at the end of the Fall season. The top two Division II teams from each District advance to the Fall Championships State Finals scheduled following the district tournaments. Each District determines whether tournaments will be offered at the Division IV 9U and 10U play level.

South Texas Cup – 11U through 19U Division II and Division III teams in each District are eligible to enter a spring competition. The top two teams from each District advance to the South Texas Cup State Finals which is held in early May.

Directors Cup – 11U through 19U Super II and Division II and 11U and 12U DI teams are
eligible to enter the spring competition with the top two teams from each District’s spring competition advancing to a State Tournament in mid-May.

Presidents Cup – 13U through 19U Division I and Super II teams are eligible to enter a spring competition designed to identify the top two teams in each District to advance to the Presidents Cup State Finals in late May. First place teams in the 13U through 17U age groups then qualify to advance to the US Youth Soccer Region III President’s Cup to be hosted by one of the Region III state associations.

US Youth Soccer National Championships (State Cup) – Although open to all levels of play (11U through 19U), this competition is recommended for the highest level competitive teams. Teams enter at the beginning of the event and compete within their District during the Spring season. The top two teams advance from each District to the State Cup Finals to be held Memorial Day weekend. First place teams in the 13U through 19U then advance to the USYSNC Regional Tournament to be hosted by one of the Region III states in mid-June.

For more specific information on each of these competitions, please click on the specific competition name. Additional information will be posted as details become available for each competition.